Gettysburg, PA was left in shock this March after Mayor Chad Alan Carr resigned from office only 2 months in his term. Only to find out what was initially labeled a departure for “personal legal issues” it was clarified on Friday, March 13, when Pennsylvania police arrested Carr on multiple child sex offense charges. The arrest has made its way around the community and left people wondering how someone like this could get in office and how our leadership would shape up in the future.
The resignation came less than a week before Carr’s charges were announced. Borough Council President Matthew Moon, the interim mayor, confirmed that Carr put in his resignation on Tuesday, March 3rd. Investigators received a Childline report in late February, calling for quick action and an investigation by state police into allegations involving a victim who was a minor at the time of the alleged offenses.
“It takes a lot of courage for this person to come forward,” said Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett during a press conference. “We are alleging and believe to be true that Chad-Alan Carr groomed this particular individual.”
Carr, 48, faces two felony counts of sexual abuse of children and a misdemeanor count of corruption of minors. Investigators allege it happened between 2011 and 2013, calls on skype and solicitation of explicit images. At the time of the alleged incidents, Carr had a name in the local arts scene, serving as the executive director of the Gettysburg Community Theatre and volunteering at the high school.
The mood at the Borough office has been described as stunned. While some residents had high hopes for Carr’s campaign. The Gettysburg Community Theatre board also announced that Carr has stepped down from his role there.
Carr remains in custody at the Adams County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail.
